Tag Archives: Childhood Obesity

We know that the American diet for children is largely toxic and leads to obesity, type 2 diabetes, poor development, and many other chronic illnesses. But we rarely discuss what it does to the brain.

Poor diet, especially one that is loaded with added sugar and artificial sweeteners, has a direct impact on a child’s brain chemistry. After all, obesity isn’t just a problem in the belly. It’s a problem in the brain because too much sugar creates a never-ending cycle of food cravings that cause kids to overeat.

Added sugar and manmade artificial sweeteners, which are toxic to the liver and reproductive organs, cause an immediate biochemical change in the body. As a result, certain neurotransmitters are released in the brain. Some children are more sensitive to these neurotransmitters and become depressed, anxious, or hyper. Some have memory issues and struggle to think clearly. Many have learning disabilities at school.

About Dr. James Proodian

Dr. James Proodian is an accomplished chiropractic physician, health educator, and professional public speaker who founded Proodian Healthcare Family of Companies to help people feel better, function better, and live longer. His expertise is in identifying clinical imbalances and restoring the body to health and functionality. Contact: jproodian@naturalhc.com or (732) 222‑2219.

I often discuss the global epidemic of obesity and how it leads to chronic illness, which is crippling healthcare systems around the world. But what is the state of obesity in New Jersey, right here in our own backyard?

The numbers may shock you.

According to data released by the New Jersey Department of Health in October of 2015, 26.9 percent of New Jersey adults are obese, and 36.3 percent are overweight. That means nearly two thirds (63.2 percent) of New Jersey adults are either obese or overweight.

If we continue at this pace, nearly half (48.6 percent) of New Jersey adults will be obese by 2030.

The numbers aren’t any better for our children. One in four children ages 10-17 and 23 percent of high school students are obese or overweight.

But here is one statistic that truly frightens me. In New Jersey, more than 14 percent of low-income children under the age of 5 are obese. New Jersey has the highest rate of low-income childhood obesity among the 44 states that report this data. Continue reading →

About Dr. James Proodian

Dr. James Proodian is an accomplished chiropractic physician, health educator, and professional public speaker who founded Proodian Healthcare Family of Companies to help people feel better, function better, and live longer. His expertise is in identifying clinical imbalances and restoring the body to health and functionality. Contact: jproodian@naturalhc.com or (732) 222‑2219.

Remember what we did for fun as kids? There were a handful of video game systems, very basic computers with no internet access, maybe 20 TV channels, and a few fast food joints, so we were playing outside from early in the morning until the sun went down.

Riding bicycles, games of tag, playing baseball or soccer for hours at a time, building forts and tree houses, swimming, climbing, running, jumping – we were in constant motion until mom and dad yelled to us from the front door to come home for lunch and dinner.

Back in the good old days, about 5-10 percent of children were overweight.

Today, it’s a different story. Constant access to the internet. Video games. Hundreds of TV channels and DVR. Communication by text and email instead of face-to-face conversations. Fast food on every street corner. More time is spent in front of a TV or computer than outside playing.

About Dr. James Proodian

Dr. James Proodian is an accomplished chiropractic physician, health educator, and professional public speaker who founded Proodian Healthcare Family of Companies to help people feel better, function better, and live longer. His expertise is in identifying clinical imbalances and restoring the body to health and functionality. Contact: jproodian@naturalhc.com or (732) 222‑2219.

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About Dr. Proodian

Dr. Proodian is passionate about helping people achieve better health through natural methods by combining nutrition, exercise physiology, and education with his Chiropractic care. He partners with his patients, providing a collaborative and accessible doctor-patient experience. He stands for consistency, focus, and loving his work.